AMES – The 2016 Iowa’s Best Burger has been found in Adair at The Chuckwagon Restaurant. The Chuckwagon embraces the rich history of Adair through its restaurant and menu offerings.
The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA) and the Iowa Beef Industry Council (IBIC) announced the winner Monday during a live broadcast in Adair. The two organizations have teamed up to sponsor Iowa’s Best Burger contest seven times. This year, Iowans submitted more than 6,000 votes nominating 311 restaurants in February and March. Those votes were used to select the top 10 restaurants. The top 10 were then independently visited and judged based on the hamburger’s taste, appearance and proper serving temperature of 160 degrees.
“The judges found that the burgers at the Chuckwagon were juicy and full of flavor,” said Brooke German, director of marketing for IBIC. “They use a toasted bun on every burger, and their homemade house seasoning helped to enhance the flavor of the burgers.”
The burgers at the Chuckwagon are six-ounce, hand-pattied Certified Angus Beef and grilled on a flat-top grill using a house seasoning. They are made-to-order with toasted bread or grilled buns. Popular burgers include the bacon cheeseburger and the Chuckwagon, a burger served on a grilled bun with sautéed onions, mushrooms, bacon, tomato and Thousand Island dressing. Served alongside homemade fries and a classic milkshake, the meal is hard to beat.
The restaurant’s owner, Kim Reha, is a lifelong resident of Adair. She purchased the restaurant at the age of 22. Although she considered a career as a surgical technician, she knew her passion was in the restaurant business. At that time, she already had eight years of experience working in restaurants, and the hands-on learning has served her well.
The restaurant, which Reha has owned for eight years, is formerly Happy Chef. Over time, she has made improvements, including an interior renovation in 2012. In 2014, Reha changed the name and the menu, launching her now-famous “Endless Homemade French Fries” and hand-pattied burgers.
“We are excited to crown the Chuckwagon Restaurant as our 2016 Best Burger winner,” said Katie Olthoff, director of communications for ICA. “They do an outstanding job of showcasing the great beef product with each of their great-tasting burgers on behalf of Iowa’s beef farmers.”
The restaurant, which is clearly visible from Interstate-80 on exit 76, is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. during the summer. Burgers start around $9, but the “Burger of the Week” is $2 off. Breakfast is served all day. There is a seating capacity of 112 and a patio area was added in 2015, and they are happy to take reservations, too.
Other restaurants that made the top 10 with the Chuckwagon Restaurant are: Ankeny Diner in Ankeny; BW’s Burgers in West Des Moines; Down Right Delicious in Clarinda; Elm’s Club in Creston; First Street Grille in Keosauqua; PerXactly Bar and Grill in Maquoketa; Rides Bar and Grill in Fort Dodge; The Ritz in Arnolds Park and Vaughn’s Café and Bakery in Clarinda.
Previous winners in the contest are: 2015 – The Cider House in Fairfield; 2014 – Brick City Grill in Ames; 2013 – 61 Chop House Grille in Mediapolis; 2012 – Coon Bowl III in Coon Rapids; 2011 – Rusty Duck in Dexter; and 2010 – Sac County Cattle Company in Sac City.